New Column

Glen Williama' mind is in overdrive again and I have agreed to send this idea
to the  Open Robin in hopes somes of you will take up the gauntlet.
Personally I think it is a great idea and should attract new participants.


Date:    Mon, 23 Jul 2001 15:06:03 +0100
From:    Glen Williams <gw1944@VERMONTEL.NET>
Subject: A New Column

Hosta Brethren:

This posting is about a new column for The Hosta Journal.I have Kevin
Walek's OK to go ahead and I wanted to let you know what was going on.

I have decided that I have been offering enough advice on how I want the
hosta world to be; it 's time  for me to put up or shut up. The following
paragraphs are part of an ongoing conversation I have been having with
Kevin Walek about adding a new column to The Hosta Journal.  Although I
have a clear direction in mind  I would welcome any commentary.......and
eventually I would like to ask you to send me hosta related
questions.....not yet, but soon. And there is no danger- I will not be
attempting to answer the questions myself.  I know that Jim Wilkins tried
something similar in THJ, but the turn around time  for questions and
answers (through the mails) was a major problem. The hosta robins may help
with this problem.
                                        ***
To KW:

For a long time now I have thought that The Hosta Journal could use a page
or two of  paragraph-size comments on various topics. Perhaps a section
called Facts and Opinions.  The idea would be to have short  responses to
questions solicited from the hosta robins as well as through the
mail.Questions could be solicited from the Newsletters too. Until it became
established  (and if)  the hosta robins would be the best and most instant
source for questions.The people on the robins might well provide some
answers too. The answers to the questions would be taken  from a variety of
people who would be asked by the editor of the  section to respond briefly
to the questions.

I can see 3 possible benefits:  1.New blood writing for the Journal . I
think a lot of people would be willing to get their feet wet with a short
opinion  who might be unwilling to tackle an article.  2. It could be a
chance to introduce new topics and even pursue some mythology in the world
of hostas. 3. I think that there is an audience  for short general answers,
brief science answers / implications , and  controversial
opinions.......all of which might stimulate further  dialogue. Opening the
page up to opinions is probably a little dangerous , but I think it is
important.

The process and the products from this column might be another way  of
testing the waters to see what is happening in  the  world of hosta
consumers : not the hosta worlds of science, conventions, vendors,
breeders, and internal politics, but the hosta world of the suburbs.
                                        ***
Kevin has told me to go ahead and aim for the next Journal deadline which
is September  1st. To me this does not seem to be realistic , but I
certainly want to get started. I would appreciate any input or ideas. I
will probably be asking for questions from you in the next few
days......just to see what is out there. Right now I am interested in how
you feel about this project for our Journal.


From the heart of summer in Vermont.... where it is cool and sunny and all
the tourists raise their hands to ask directions.
Glen Williams
20 Dewey St.
Springfield , Vermont
05156
Tel: 802-885-2839


Barbara
MA Z5
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index